Hey there! Hope you all had a wonderful week! Mine was amazing. Now that Shavuos is over I'm ready to dive back into life and live everyday to the fullest. I don't know about you but after all that holiday food I was re-motivated to eat really healthy this week. With all the recent Hollywood talk about the benefits of juice fasts, and since I recently tried the Naked brand of juices and fell in love with them, I created a modified juice diet (see below) that I've been on the for the last few days. And guess what? I actually lost the bloat I was carrying around from the holiday and I feel great.

Can I complain a little? Since I turned 40-something, maintaining my weight and losing any gained weight without excruciating discomfort (is there really any other way to put it?) has been almost impossible. I admit that I don't work out like a beast, but I do practice yoga twice a week plus I walk/run anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour whenever I can*. I also (for the most part) do NOT eat flour, potatoes, corn or fried food. And yet the belly protrudes where it once didn't and the minute I relax and just eat what I feel like, I gain weight.

*that could mean only once a week or up to 5 times a week...does running errands and shopping count?

Since I am officially at a never ending WAR with nature (think "The Hunger Games-Real Life After 40"), I have been researching and experimenting, and have come up with my own method that is both emotionally and physically healthy for my mind, body and spirit. No longer am I able to 'starve myself' for 3 days to drop 5 lbs. Deprivation is not a part of my 'live life to the fullest' mindset. So instead, I think about what I can have, what I need to have, what feeds my mind and body, and how amazing it will be for me in every way.

Dinner: Chicken, meat or fish with a huge salad dressed with a little olive oil and organic apple cider vinegar.

Snack: A little more Naked juice or a glass of dry red wine.

PS You will feel a bit hungry on this program but you will not be starving or unhealthy and you should embrace the feeling because you will love your flatter belly in the AM!

Tip: Make sure you have access to a bathroom on your first day doing this, you will be visiting it often :)

Note: The Starbucks mocha is my treat. I truly believe that every diet should incorporate a 200 calorie treat so that you are able to persist on an emotional level as well as on a physical level. Choose what you love carefully and in moderation.

Plan II: For maintenance and for life:

Breakfast: Coffee with milk, 1 slice of sprouted or multi grain toast with one egg and some butter, green tea

Tip: I take my green tea inside and out; after I steep the tea bag I swipe it all over my face before I put on my makeup. Sounds weird? Well green tea is one heck of an anti oxidant and anti-ager so why not use the tea bag directly on your face? I do it daily and I love it!)

Snack: Starbucks mocha (tall)

Tip: I once read that non-fat milk is more fattening than the higher fat ones because the lactose turns to sugar more quickly. I never order my mochas with skim milk and I always have a bit of whip cream so I feel like I'm having a treat.

Tip: Every Sunday I put up a pot of brown rice or quinoi and make sure I have the ingredients for my salad, including plastic containers. In the mornings, I throw in whatever I feel like, shake it up and take it with me in the car so I have my lunch on hand when I get hungry.